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Epignosis 
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Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
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Points: 32553
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 Posted: February 09 2009 at 11:01 |
 E-Dub wrote:
^^Probably a better musician than Steinhardt, but Robbie is still sorely missed.
E
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Not certain I would agree, but I might. Ragsdale doubles on guitar, which is particularly helpful for the band live.
The bottom line for me is not necessarily Steinhardt's violin skills, but his voice, which could be either that of a mystical sage imparting his wisdom, or that of a barroom brawler ready to introduce your teeth to a cue stick.
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E-Dub
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Joined: February 24 2006
Location: Elkhorn, WI
Status: Offline
Points: 7910
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Posted: February 09 2009 at 11:57 |
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It's Robbie's voice that's most memorable for me. Damn fine violin player, but Ragsdale seems to be a more complete musician.
E
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: February 09 2009 at 19:25 |
Epignosis wrote:
E-Dub wrote:
^^Probably a better musician than Steinhardt, but Robbie is still sorely missed.
E
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Not certain I would agree, but I might. Ragsdale doubles on guitar, which is particularly helpful for the band live.
The bottom line for me is not necessarily Steinhardt's violin skills, but his voice, which could be either that of a mystical sage imparting his wisdom, or that of a barroom brawler ready to introduce your teeth to a cue stick.
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Haven't heard Ragsdale, but I suspect they'll never be able to top the classic '70's lineup.  Poodle boy (Elefante, just kidding) made a decent replacement for Walsh. I was really impressed when Steve Morse (longtime Dregs fan here) came on board for a while, even though the results weren't greatly spectacular. But still...
Edited by Slartibartfast - February 09 2009 at 21:06
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JLocke
Prog Reviewer
Joined: November 18 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 4900
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Posted: February 09 2009 at 19:41 |
I've always considered them to be amoung the best Symph Prog to ever grace my ears. Right up there with Yes and Genesis, honestly!
I think because they aren't British that they get overshadowed by both bands, but honestly, Kansas churned out some truly fine quality work in their day (Haven't heard any of the newer stuff, so I can't really comment there, ha.)
"Song For America" alone is enough reason to listen to them. That's an absolutely flooring song.
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: February 09 2009 at 21:06 |
p0mt3 wrote:
I've always considered them to be amoung the best Symph Prog to ever grace my ears. Right up there with Yes and Genesis, honestly!
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And neither Yes or Genesis had violin. Shouldn't you have to have one to be symphonic?  
Edited by Slartibartfast - February 18 2009 at 11:44
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Leftoverture
Forum Newbie
Joined: December 27 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 31
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Posted: February 10 2009 at 09:46 |
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the song "paradox". damn I love that song. I can still listen to it 5 times in a row and often do at times. Walsh can belt out the vocals with the best of them. to see a rolling stone 100 best singers list a few months ago with Lou Reed on it and not Walsh is criminal. and I like Reed btw, he just isnt a great vocalist
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
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Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32553
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 08:12 |
Slartibartfast wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
E-Dub wrote:
^^Probably a better musician than Steinhardt, but Robbie is still sorely missed.
E
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Not certain I would agree, but I might. Ragsdale doubles on guitar, which is particularly helpful for the band live.
The bottom line for me is not necessarily Steinhardt's violin skills, but his voice, which could be either that of a mystical sage imparting his wisdom, or that of a barroom brawler ready to introduce your teeth to a cue stick.
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Haven't heard Ragsdale, but I suspect they'll never be able to top the classic '70's lineup.
Poodle boy (Elefante, just kidding) made a decent replacement for Walsh. I was really impressed when Steve Morse (longtime Dregs fan here) came on board for a while, even though the results weren't greatly spectacular. But still...
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I have always had an opinion about replacing members. In the case of Kansas, I think Robby Steinhardt should have tackled lead vocals for the next release (as Vinyl Confessions is now, he's barely there at all). But, of course, there is the matter of what to do on stage...
For Yes, I feel the same way. The live aspect notwithstanding, I often wonder why Chris Squire didn't take lead vocals on the studio album...not that Drama is bad by any stretch of the imagination.
But then there's Genesis...so I guess I'll shut up now.  Seriously though, Collins-era Genesis did release no less than two good albums after Peter Gabriel's departure.
But regarding vocalists for Kansas, I honestly believe that if they ever do another album, Greer should do some of the lead vocals (have you heard this guy? Try "Look at the Time").
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Jim Garten
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin & Razor Guru
Joined: February 02 2004
Location: South England
Status: Offline
Points: 14693
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 08:26 |
Raff wrote:
Anyway, I think Steve Walsh should get way more love than he does as a vocalist. He hardly ever gets mentioned in those terminally boring 'best prog singer' polls, which is almost criminal IMHO. |
Not to mention the fact he's one hell of a Hammond player too, with a style (and sound) not dis-similar to a certain Keith Emerson.
Raff - you really need to get the double disc version of 'Two For The Show'; if you think the single disc version is great, wait until you hear the double!
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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012
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Epignosis
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Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32553
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 08:28 |
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"The Spider" is one of the greatest things under 3 minutes. Think about what Walsh might have accomplished prog-wise had he been of a mind to go farther in that direction.
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Jim Garten
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin & Razor Guru
Joined: February 02 2004
Location: South England
Status: Offline
Points: 14693
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 09:05 |
As long as if he did go further, he left behind those yellow shorts
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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012
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Epignosis
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Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 10:09 |
 Nuff said.
Edited by Epignosis - February 18 2009 at 10:14
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Jim Garten
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin & Razor Guru
Joined: February 02 2004
Location: South England
Status: Offline
Points: 14693
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 11:11 |
And they wonder why prog isn't taken seriously by the masses
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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 11:44 |
That's right, lose the shorts but keep that fabulous umbrella hat. I suspect chicks really digged those shorts though. 
Edited by Slartibartfast - February 21 2009 at 14:40
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Garion81
Special Collaborator
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Joined: May 22 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4338
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Posted: February 18 2009 at 14:19 |
i beleive those pictures were wehn they were opening up for the stones in 78 or 9.
I have to say that 2 for the show re-release was my real album of the year. It was almost like getting a new Kansas CD.
JFM is my all time favorite Kansas song. I am very much looking forward to the symphonic CD. I heard glowing reports form people who attended it including Kerry Livgren playing the intro to Incomudro on a pipe organ. in my mind David Ragsdale is the man. He has energized the touring band like no other. He is a great musician. BTW Billy Greer sings most of Robby's parts now and does a very good job.
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"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?"
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
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Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32553
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Posted: February 21 2009 at 14:31 |
Kerry Livgren is the God of Winter.
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: February 21 2009 at 14:40 |
Keyboards, Guitar, and the God of Winter?
Edited by Slartibartfast - February 24 2009 at 05:28
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Garion81
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Joined: May 22 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
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Posted: February 23 2009 at 13:41 |
Well he loooks a little like Father Christmas so why not? 
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"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?"
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Moogtron III
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 26 2005
Location: Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 10616
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Posted: February 23 2009 at 15:21 |
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Two For The Show is my favourite album. All great songs. And I like Closet Chronicles, which is not on that album (at least not on my copy, I'm not sure about re - releases).
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: February 23 2009 at 16:13 |
Moogtron III wrote:
Two For The Show is my favourite album. All great songs. And I like Closet Chronicles, which is not on that album (at least not on my copy, I'm not sure about re - releases).
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If you like what you have, you really have to get your hands on the remaster that came out last year. Chronicles is back plus a lot of unreleased live stuff on the second disc.
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32553
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Posted: February 23 2009 at 16:45 |
Slartibartfast wrote:
Moogtron III wrote:
Two For The Show is my favourite album. All great songs. And I like Closet Chronicles, which is not on that album (at least not on my copy, I'm not sure about re - releases).
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If you like what you have, you really have to get your hands on the remaster that came out last year. Chronicles is back plus a lot of unreleased live stuff on the second disc.
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How about some "Miracles Out of Nowhere" (with an extended organ interlude), "Hopelessly Human," and "THE FREAKING SPIDER." 
Never thought I'd hear that one live except once when I heard just Steve by himself playing it.
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The Kansas Appreciation Thread
